Fletcher confident United can win without Rooney

United's Champions League campaign began with a disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Rangers two weeks ago and they take on Valencia at the Mestalla on Wednesday without their erstwhile talismanic striker Rooney due to an ankle injury.

Rooney has been far from his best and his form has been one factor in a stop-start opening to the new season that has seen United register four draws from seven matches in all competitions.

But Dimitar Berbatov has emerged to take on Rooney's goalscoring responsibility, meaning United's main focus will be on shoring up their unusually fragile defence. They will undoubtedly need to improve at the back on Wednesday if they are to avoid defeat against a side that has shrugged off the summer departures of David Villa and David Silva to become the surprise early-season pace-setters in the Primera Division.

"It is going to be a difficult match,'' said midfielder Fletcher. "People might say it is not the same Valencia because they have lost Villa and Silva. But as we have seen at Manchester United, when you lose good players others step up to the mark and take on more responsibility. They have had a fantastic start.

"We have picked up experience of playing in Europe and we have confidence. We know how to cope with the travel and the different styles of play. Against Spanish sides, keeping the ball is key. If you give the ball away cheaply, you might not see it for a few minutes and they will punish you.''

Berbatov is again expected to lead the line in Rooney's absence while Michael Owen's three goals in the last two matches could earn him a place in Sir Alex Ferguson's line-up should he go with two up front away from home.